Apr

26

Cheat Sheet: Safer De-tangler

Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Skin Care | 11 Comments

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    Believe it or not, there are actually quite a few different brands of spray-in detangler out there.   It’s a bit of a hunt to find them, but I managed to come up with 8 different brands of safer detanglers.   I want to be clear that these are safer options, not completely chemical free, but free of at least the big ingredients we like to avoid, such as parabens, phthalates, SLS’s, propylene glycol and PEG’s.  There are three that have phenoxyethanol in it, which we try to avoid, most of the time, but it isn’t possible 100% of the time.  Given that it’s a trace amount, and it’s not in any other products I use on a day to day basis,  I’m OK with it.  I feel better knowing that it’s not something like phthalates or parabens, instead, but that’s obviously a choice you have to make for yourself. And I’d rather give you that option too.   And now…

    The Lineup:

    California Baby Calming Hair Detangler: We’ve long been a fan of California Baby and have been using their products for years.   I’ve used nearly all of their products and have been satisfied with the quality and the results (their calendula shampoo and conditioner has been fabulous for my daughter’s chronic cradle cap).   Their stuff is pretty pricey, but definitely worth it.   So this was my first purchase in my crazy quest.

    Price: $11.49

    Size: 8.5 ounces

    Scent: Lavender

    The results: Overall, California Baby is a winner.   The price is a little steep, but not horribly priced and I think you get quite a bit (depending on how much you use on a regular basis, it should last you awhile).  It was lightweight and the scent wasn’t too overpowering, which definitely is a plus.  After nearly four years of using natural products, I’m way over the smell of lavender.   It coats the hair nicely without leaving it feeling sticky, hard, or gummy.   It wasn’t instant detangling, but it definitely made it easier to get the knots out.  My daughter didn’t complain one bit.

    TruKid Dancing Hair Detangler: We haven’t really recommended TruKid as much in recent years, even removing their sunscreen from last years cheat sheet, due to the majority of their products containing phenoxyethanol, including this one.  But it’s also free of the other major ingredients we like to avoid.  I hope that in the future TruKid will remove phenoxyethanol from their ingredients list, because they’ve got such a fun line, and they work well.   Again, I’m including this, because there are far fewer safer detanglers on the market, than there are shampoos and body washes.  The amount you would use on a regular basis is pretty miniscule.  Again, this is a decision you have to make for yourself.

    Price: $8.99

    Size: 6 ounces

    Scent: Citrus

    The Results: I have to say, I’m a bit of a fan of this detangler.   There are a few drawbacks to it, one being that it has phenoxyethanol, another being that the bottle is a bit smaller. On the other hand, it’s easier to come by (drugstore.com has it, and their services is fast and phenomenal).  As for the effectiveness, it doesn’t work as well as California Baby, but it wasn’t horrible. It claims that it’s not sticky, which isn’t entirely true.  I did find it a bit sticky upon contact with my hand, but it didn’t last and it didn’t leave any residue on my daughter’s hair, instead leaving it soft and manageable.  Also, it smells fantastic.

    Babo Botanicals: This detangler is the most expensive I’ve come across in my hunt (second only to Nature’s Paradise Organics), but this one actually comes in a smaller “sample” size bottle, which is perfect for our pool bag, or for a weekend trip.  I don’t know about you, but I hate dragging full size bottles of product with me everywhere.   So, the con is that it’s expensive, the pro is that I can buy the smaller size to alleviate those tangles while we’re out and about (seriously, she twirls her hair all.the.time. So this is a necessity)

    The Price: $15.99

    Size: 8 ounces

    Scent: Berry

    The Result: Ok, first off, I LOVE the smell of Babo.  It reminds me of inhaling the Strawberry Shortcake dolls I had as a kid.   It’s one of those little things that makes me happy.   It goes on nicely, however, it does leave a bit of a crunch to my daughter’s hair, which I’m not digging.  I’ve used it post swim lessons, and also on clean, dry hair, and have gotten the same result.   I’m sure a few combings would leave it back to feeling soft again, but it does have a bit of a residue to it if you use too much.   Overall, it works well at getting the knots out. They also make a lice repelling spray, and a UV sport conditioning spray.  We never think much about protecting our hair from the elements, but they’re just as susceptible to damage.

    Circle of Friends Organics: I had never heard of Circle of Friends until recently, and now I see it more often.  Ulta carries almost their full line of products.  Unfortunately, most of them contain nothing but chemicals, but I noticed that they had an “organic” line, which I decided to give a try.  Most of the ingredients aren’t bad, but this is another one with phenoxyethanol in it.

    The Price: $13.00 (I got it on sale)

    Size: 8 ounces

    The Scent: Citrus

    The Results: Sadly, out of all of the detanglers I’ve tried, this is my least favorite.   I’m sorry that someone had to take that title, but you guys, this stuff was just… ugh.   It was watery, so it really didn’t help much in the way of getting the tangles out, which means my daughter screamed and cried in pain.  I had to reapply it a few times to help work the knot out of her hair, and when it dried, it left an oily residue on her hair.   This might be better for someone with thicker hair that doesn’t mat as easily.  Or maybe a more ethnic type of hair.   It just didn’t work for her type of hair.

    Gaia Natural Baby: Gaia Natural Baby products are from Australia.  You can find some of the product line in Whole Foods, but what I’ve seen is pretty limited, and I didn’t see this there.  I ended up ordering this online.   This is free from all of the major chemicals we like to avoid, and in general, the ingredients list isn’t bad, and relatively short in comparison to some of the other detanglers.

    The Price: $11.99

    Size: 8.4 ounces

    Scent: Lavender

    The Results: Gaia works generally about the same as California Baby.  I have no complaints.  The smell is a little stronger, but it’s not noxious, and it works on the knots (or my as daughter calls them, “knotty knots”) without too much fuss.   It didn’t leave any sort of residue, and her hair felt soft afterwards.   This makes it easy for me, if  for some reason I can’t get California Baby.  I can get this.  Right now, my compulsion to try every detangler means, I have them all over the house and I don’t have to go running.  I keep this bottle in our powder room, so that I can also use this on my son’s hair.  His hair is short, so he’s (k)not (hee hee) prone to knots, but he has a double cowlick, so his hair is all over the place.  I spray this in his hair (because my husband forbade him to smell like berries) before leaving the house so he doesn’t look like an orphan.

    Kiss My Face Obsessively Natural Kids Detangler Creme: Kathy has reviewed this line in the past, and has really liked it.  Since she has boys, she doesn’t have much of a need for detangler.  The good thing about Kiss My Face, is that it’s affordable and pretty easy to find.  Whole Foods carries it.  My local grocery store carries it in their natural section, and Kathy mentioned that she had seen it in her local grocery store as well.   This has more synthetic ingredients in it (which is why it’s less expensive), but the ingredients list isn’t bad at all.

    The Price: $8.95

    Size: 8 ounces

    Scent: orange

    The Results: This one wasn’t my favorite.  It had good and bad points to it.   This product, removed tangles the easiest, out of all of the other brands I tried.  But, it did leave a bit of a residue on my daughter’s hair.  It wasn’t too bad.  I just brushed a few times, and it was better, but it still had this slightly waxy feel to it, which was a little disappointing.   And it’s only disappointing, because I am constantly running my fingers through her hair, and I love how soft it is.   My advice would be, if you want to use this detangler, is to brush through it a few times, after its dried, and then refrain from touching your child’s hair.   If you can’t resist touching it, because you harbor the same compulsion I do, then you might do better with a different product.

    EO Everyday Detangler: You may have seen the brand EO at your local Whole Foods, if you shop there.  EO makes hand sanitizer, which Whole Foods has readily available by the meats section, as well as in the front of the store, to wipe off your carts.  EO makes an array of affordable products, that use more natural ingredients.  Some products are certified organic, and have a better ingredient list, while others are more synthetic and while are free of most of the icky ingredients we like to avoid, they still contain phenoxyethanol.  Including this one.

    The Price: $9.99

    Size: 8.4 ounces

    Scent: French Lavender

    The Results: I’ve seen EO’s detangler only a handful of times.   When I was originally searching, I found it on drugstore.com, and the reviews weren’t all that great, but it was only two reviews and I wanted to give this product the benefit of the doubt.  So I went ahead and ordered it.   True to the reviews, EO’s version isn’t that great.   The smell is overwhelming.  True, I’m over lavender, but I can tolerate it in the other detanglers.  This one is just too much.   It gets the knots out rather well, but like the other two reviewers on drugstore’s website, it leaves the hair very greasy.   No matter how much I combed or brushed my daughters hair, it still looked heavily greasy.  Unlike the others that looked a little filmy, with enough combing, it didn’t look bad. This might not be so bad if you were going to put your hair up and needed a little help with the fly-aways.  My daughter has these spots on her head where the hair is too short to pull back, so she looks funny if I pull too much of it back.   That said,  I wouldn’t invest in this detangler for that reason alone, rather in a gel.

    Nature’s Paradise Organics Kid Gentle Tropical Detangler: Nature’s Paradise has by far the best and shortest list of ingredients.   Certified USDA Organic, the detangler utilizes apple cider vinegar as its main detangling component.   It was also one of the most expensive, but I had been dying to try their products for a long time, and this was the perfect opportunity.  Also, out of all of the detanglers that I’ve tried, this is the ONLY one with a USDA organic seal, which if you’re enrolled in Mama U (and don’t skip Kathy’s middle school class, you rebellious teenagers, because I’m taking role), you should know that this is a big deal. Procuring a USDA organic seal isn’t as easy as it seems.

    The Price: 14.99

    Size 8: ounces

    Scent: Pineapple

    The Results: I had extremely high hopes for this particular detangler.  First of all, I could have sworn this also came in a watermelon scent, which is what ultimately drew me to this detangler in the first place.   Something different smelling, than either lavender or citrus.   But when I received the bottle, it had this weird smell.  The apple cider vinegar is definitely present, and then on top of it, is the faint smell of pineapple.   I was skeptical.   Last night, in lieu of a bath, I sprayed my daughters hair down to remove the tangles, and it combed through with absolutely no resistance at all.  I’ve long been a fan of vinegar, however, I’ve been skeptical of the whole “no ‘poo” apple cider vinegar method of washing hair.  But this just puts another check mark in the pros for vinegar (don’t be expecting me to go no ‘poo anytime soon).    After it started to dry, I noticed a tacky greasy residue, and my sails were deflated.  I was so excited about this detangler.   And then!  This morning, she woke up with the softest, non greasy, non tangly hair.   So this stuff?  Yes, loving it.

    So what are my favorites?  My top favorite is Nature’s Paradise Organics, however, I’ve only used it at night, before bed, not during the day,  so the daytime winner would be a tie.  Between California Baby, and Gaia Naturals.  Neither of them leave a residue, and they both get the knots out easily enough.   I use these during the day, when I have to wet my daughter’s fine hair to put it up in a pig tail.  It makes my job, and hopefully yours, far easier.   Because there’s nothing cuter than a little girl with long whimsical hair, except when you have to comb the knots out.

    Apr

    25

    Go to the Head of the Organic Class: Middle School!

    Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Skin Care | 301 Comments

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      Welcome Earth Mama Angel Baby Mama U. Students! Here at SafeMama.com you will learn about Certified Made With Organic Ingredients.  By doing so you can enter to win a prize that includes Certified Made With Organic Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash, Happy Mama Hand to Toe Wash, Calm & Clean Hand to Toe Wash and Natural Non-Scents Hand to Toe Wash!

      So many products, so many labels! The label says “natural,” but does that mean safe? What’s really organic? What’s a toxic ingredient? You almost need a degree to decipher label claims!

      That’s why Earth Mama Angel Baby® is giving you the chance to go to the head of the organic class, win prizes and learn about the five levels of Organic and Natural. You’ll get product label information a concerned consumer can really use, plus earn your Mama U. diploma and a chance to win fantastic prizes all along the way, including a ginormous Grand Prize worth over $650! Earth Mama Angel Baby and five respected bloggers will take you from grade to grade: once you pass one level, you can move on to the next. You can do all five in a day or take your time and do it in a week. Just make sure you go to Mama U. Graduation by midnight Sunday, May 1 to pick up your diploma, your special graduate coupon code, and enter to win the Mama U. Graduates Grand Prize bundle of natural and organic goodies, valued at over $650!!

      Welcome to Middle School!

      We’ve covered “100% Organic” and “Organic”, now let’s go to another confusing label claim: “Made With Organic Ingredients”. The words “Made With Organic” represent a labeling category that can be certified under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). “Made With Organic” means that 70% or more of the ingredients are certified organic, AND the entire product is produced in a NOP certified facility. The entire product is verified by an independent third party certifier.

      The claim “Made with organic” is very commonly seen on personal care product labels. Surely if the ingredient panel says “Made with Organic Lavender” you can trust that that lavender is organic? Sorry, nope. And because the USDA symbol is not allowed on the “Made With” label, it’s very difficult to tell when something is actually certified.

      So, how CAN you tell if a product that has the words “Made With Organic” is certified? This is a toughie to decipher. The USDA symbol is not allowed on the front or informational panel of the product. The company logo may not include the word “Organic”, even though it is certified. The front label claim can only say, “Made With Organic” whatever the ingredient is. IT’S CONFUSING! But at least 70% of the ingredients must be certified organic, and the remaining ingredients must be on the NOP “allowed” National List.  That means no Genetically Modified Organisms, artificial dyes, fragrances or other potentially harmful synthetic ingredients. (see fig. 1)

      fig. 1

      Earth Mama’s organic certifier is QAI (Quality Assurance International). They agree it’s challenging to properly market “Made With Organic” products and still follow the labeling guidelines.

      “If you see the ‘Made With Organic’ claim, turn the product over and you’ll see a ‘certified by’ statement from an accredited certifying agent such as QAI. That would show that the product is certified by an independent third party. No USDA seal is allowed for ‘Made With’.”

      Some certifiers allow significantly lower standards, for example requiring only that 10% of all ingredients by weight must come from organic farming. If you’re stumped you can always do a little research to find what standard the independent certifier certifies to! Here’s a link to a list of companies that certify to the strict NOP standard.

      Middle School Exam (see Crib Notes here)

      Answer the question in the comments for a chance to win!

      Post your answer to the question below in the comments, and you’ll get a chance to win one each of Earth Mama Angel Baby’s Certified “Made With Organic” Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash, Happy Mama Hand to Toe Wash, Calm & Clean Hand to Toe Wash and Natural Non-Scents Hand to Toe Wash! Open to US Residents only.  Winner with a correct answer will be chosen via Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until May 1, 2011.


      Congratulations commenter #65 Caitlin! Good luck to everyone who entered the contest! Hope you win the big prize!

      Q. How can you confirm that the claim “Made With Organic” is USDA certified?

      Congratulations, you can now move on to High School at Fig and Sage! But first, head over to Earth Mama Angel Baby’s Facebook page to let everyone know, “I just learned how to read a label with the claim USDA Certified Made With Organic Ingredients at http://www.SafeMama.com!”

      Check Earth Mama’s Go to the Head of the Organic Class page for blog locations, prize information, and the Crib Sheet for your open book tests. We’ll announce locations, prizes and winners on Facebook and Twitter too.


      Apr

      22

      Cascadian Farm Change Flows River Clean Up (Giveaway)

      Filed Under Giveaways Coupons | 38 Comments

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        I’m sure many of you have seen Cascadian Farm products before and I know I have a box of cereal in my cabinet as I type this. But what I wanted to tell you about is their very cool project to help clean up rivers in the country by way of their Cascadian Farm’s Change Flows initiative.  They are asking Americans to join the company in an effort to restore and preserve our valuable rivers.  Here is how you can get involved. 

        From now through April 30, consumers can help make “Change Flow” by visiting  CascadianFarm.com to “like” the U.S. region they think is most deserving of a river cleanup.  The region with the most “likes” will receive a river cleanup sponsored by Cascadian Farm. Cascadian Farm is contributing $50,000 to American Rivers, a non-profit committed to restoring and preserving our country’s water sources.

        To encourage support for clean water, Cascadian Farm would like to offer  a package of Cascadian Farm cereal and a water bottle to one of our readers who participate in the Change Flows initiative.

        To Enter (required)

        Visit www.CascadianFarm.com and “like” the U.S. region you think is most deserving of a river cleanup. Leave a comment on this entry letting me know what region you voted for.

        For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

        • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
        • Fan/Like  Cascadian Farm on Facebook (first name, last initial)
        • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
        • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
        • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
        • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Help the Cascadian Farm Change Flow river cleanup initiative on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 4/30 http://tinyurl.com/3pojf3h

        One winner will be chosen using Random.org to select. Open to US readers only.  Giveaway ends April 30, 2011. Cascadian Farm provided the information and the giveaway prize.

        Apr

        16

        Cheat Sheet: Less Plastic Sippy Cups, Bottles & Water Bottles

        Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Food Safety | 9 Comments

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          It’s the next generation of cheat sheets!  The BPA Free Sippy Cup cheat sheet was one of my very first cheat sheets.  As we’ve all grown and learned more, the more I think it’s important to try and avoid plastic all together when we can.  Sure, there is BPA free plastic, and that’s better.  But plastic can still leach chemicals into fluids and foods and its better to use materials that are non-leaching, such as stainless steel, glass, ceramic, and bamboo.  I decided it was time to move past plastic on SafeMama.com and show you there are a ton of great plastic-less options. Not everything on this list is completely plastic free, but the portion that comes in contact with your fluids is. As usual not a comprehensive list so please email me suggestions for inclusion. (Last updated April 20, 2011)

          Glass & Stainless Sippy Cups

          I’ve used several of these brands and with sippy cups, it really comes down to personal preference.  For us, we primarily use 12oz Klean Kanteens (one with a sport cap and one with a sippy adapter).  They seem to be the best for us.  But I also love the Thermos Foogo Straw Bottles too and use one in my son’s lunchbox. Insulated vs non-insulated is something you have to think about.  Klean Kanteens are not (aside from their new insulated ones).  I use these adorable Cocoozy’s for out and about, and they fit perfect. There are also many neoprene sleeves and other jackets that fit both bottles and sippy’s.

          • Foogo Leak-Proof Straw Bottle (stainless)
          • Safe Sippy 2 (stainless)
          • Fuel Stainless Steel Sports Bottle
          • Foogo Leak-Proof Sippy Cup (stainless)
          • Crocodile Creek Stainless Drinking Bottles
          • Thermos FUNtainers (stainless)
          • ThinkSport 12oz Stainless Water Bottle
          • Klean Kanteen 12 oz Sippy (comes with a sippy adapter or a sports cap) (stainless)
          • Earthlust Insulated Baby Bottle & Sippy Cup (stainless)
          • EIO Kids Cup (glass)
          • Pura Sippy Cups (stainless)
          • Life Factory Bottles w/ sippy adaptor (glass)
          • Safe Sporter Stainless Steel Bottle
          • Sigg Kids Bottles (coated aluminum*)
          • Camelbak Kids Stainless Steel water bottle

          Glass & Stainless Baby Bottle Brands

          Of course there are plastic bottle options available on the market and many of them are created with BPA free plastic.  Some companies I trust more than others like ThinkBaby and BornFree because they have been BPA free intentionally from the get-go. These are great safer options too.  My objective here is to highlight some alternatives to plastic for bottle feeding.  Before anyone gets in a twist, I am a supporter of breastfeeding and think it’s an important choice.  I am also however, a supporter in allowing mothers to make the choices that are right for them, regardless of what I would do.  Everyone has their own right to mother their children the way they see fit. I refuse to judge on this issue. So without further adieu…

          • OrganicKidz Stainless Baby Bottles (stainless)
          • Pura Stainless Steel Baby Bottle (stainless)
          • BornFree Glass Baby Bottles
          • Dr. Browns Glass Baby Bottles
          • Eco Baba Stainless Bottles
          • Evenflo Glass Baby Bottles
          • Green to Grow Glass Baby Bottles
          • Silikids Glass Baby Bottles
          • Life Factory Glass Baby Bottles
          • Kidbasix Stainless Baby Bottles (stainless)
          • Momo Glass Baby Bottles
          • Nurture Pure Glass Baby Bottles
          • Sweet Pea Glass Baby Bottles

          Adult Water Bottles and Drink Containers (ditch the plastic!!!)

          Obviously there are hundreds of stainless water bottles on the market and most are fine… you can’t go wrong with stainless steel. This is a sampling of them and a few glass options.

          *Sigg was under scrutiny for using a coating on the interior of their bottles that contained BPA.  They have since corrected that and now line them with SIGG EcoCare® Liner which is a baked on coating. They claim it is chemically inert and does not absorb, leach or transfer odors or flavors, no matter what beverage is inside.  You can make a judgment call on this one.

          Apr

          15

          BumGenius Giveaway From The Glass Baby Bottle!

          Filed Under Cloth Diapering, Giveaways Coupons | 236 Comments

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            BumGenius Cloth Diaper in Grasshopper

            What better way to kick off Earth Day celebrations by giving away something that can eliminate disposable diapers from a landfill! The Glass Baby Bottle, one of the many family owned online shops that I love to shop with and support, is providing a generous giveaway of a great product.  BumGenius, for those who haven’t experienced it, is an All-in-one (also referred to as AIO) cloth diapering system that is loved by many cloth diapering parents.  Since it’s one piece, meaning no stuffing of pads into pockets or layering cloth diapers into a shell, you wear and then wash.

            BunGenius is an ideal system for parents with babies and kids in daycare or who just don’t want to fuss with multiple pieces.  There are certainly pros and cons to all diapering systems, and each one is different.  So it’s a matter of what you are comfortable with using.  BumGenius is made with a waterproof polyester outer shell and inside is layers if 100% organic cotton to provide absorbency and comfort. The gusseted sides provide comfort, fit and prevent leaks with a sure fit. The tabs stretch to fit and have a snap closure, which I like myself – they don’t stick together in the wash. The diapers come in 3 adjustable sizes that fit most babies from 7 – 35 pounds.

            Get Your Stash: You can purchase BumGenius Organic All-in-one cloth diapers from The Glass Baby Bottle.  They come in all 3 sizes and in 4 colors!

            Win a Stash!

            The Glass Baby Bottle has put together a fabulous giveaway package for you.  The winner will recieve TWO BumGenius Cloth Diapers in Grasshopper (green) and Butternut (yellow) along with a pack of BumGenius Flannel Baby Wipes (which are so great for other things too – like make up removal!).

            Here’s How To Enter (Required):

            Visit The Glass Baby Bottle and let me know what products they sell that you think would help you lead a greener / non-toxic life.

            For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

            • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
            • Fan/Like The Glass Baby Bottle on Facebook (first name, last initial)
            • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
            • Follow @GlassBabyBottle on Twitter (Twitter name)
            • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
            • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
            • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN two BumGenius Cloth Diapers from @GlassBabyBottle on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 4/22 http://tinyurl.com/43c2sfz

            One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until April 22, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck! Thank you in advance to The Glass Baby Bottle for this fabulous giveaway.

            Congratulations commenter #57 Elsa! Thank you to everyone who entered.  I hope you had a Happy Earth Day!

            Apr

            14

            Make SafeMama one of Circle of Moms Top 25 Eco-Friendly Moms

            Filed Under Product Safety | 6 Comments

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              I generally hate it when there are blog popularity contests.  I always did.  I hate that whole “Vote For Me!” stuff like you are running for class president and are campaigning to win. I just do what I do best and don’t typically try to be the president of Eco-Mom World.  I just love participating in it and learning from all the fabulous bloggers in our sphere.  Then my business partner kicked me in the butt and convinced me to allow myself to campaign on my behalf in this particular incident.

              Circle of Moms has a poll going where you can vote for your favorite Eco-Friendly Mom blogs and they will announce the top 25 on Earth Day.  Our site… YOUR site… SafeMama.com, is in the list and I am honored to be listed among so many great, informative, inspiring green blogs.

              So if you like SafeMama.com and want to contribute your vote to me I would be ever so grateful!  You can vote once a day for your favorite blog until April 17, 2011.  I hope SafeMama is one of your favorites… and in advance, thank you!

              Apr

              12

              Treating & Preventing Head Lice Naturally

              Filed Under Health & Medicine, Product Safety, Skin Care | 7 Comments

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                I got that dreaded note home from school. “There has been a confirmed case of lice in your child’s school.“  Lice! Eeek! I’ve not had any personal experiences with it yet and hope I never do but I wanted to look into it so that if it does happen, I’d have a plan of attack and not be stuck at the drugstore buying a toxic chemical potion.  Which is what happened to my dear friend Sommer when she was on vacation!  Her story is not an unfamiliar one and reading her personal experience with it, I just shook my head in agreement because I probably would have done the same thing given the circumstances.  The note goes on to outline all the toxic pesticides you can marinate your child’s head in and I would rather avoid it at all costs.

                Unfortunately, when you do go to a drugstore the options available to us are sometimes not so vast. A quick glance at the selection of cures in the grocery store left 2 options, one a common brand called Nix.  Sommer did a great job at highlighting some of the natural brands and services available to treat lice such as Lice Happens, which is a service you can contact that will help you deal with and rid your life of a lice infestation.  They carry their own natural products as well.

                But I wanted to also provide some tips I found comforting and a few other ideas that I thought might be comforting to someone dealing with an infestation or like me, it has occurred to a child in your school and you want to be prepared.  So here we go.

                Prevention

                Preventing lice is not really a 100% fool proof practice.  It happens and it’s not life threatening (there are worse things!) but very inconvenient.  I don’t know one person who wouldn’t take a few precautions if it’s possible to skirt a lice infestation. There are a few products that swear they are effective in deterring lice.  One is a product line I am familiar with and love and that is Babo Botanicals Lice Repel Shampoo and Conditioning Spray. Babo Botanicals had their product tested and it was deemed 95% effective in repelling lice.

                Happy Heads  has an array of Lice Prevention products and systems including their Scootie-Cootie Organic Repelling Shampoo and Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler. They’re infused with 100% pure essential oils and are sulfate & paraben free. Safe for use daily!

                Lice Happens also has a Lice Repellent Spray which is free from pesticides. It’s safe to use daily and their special mint formula  repels head lice. You can use it daily on kids who may be exposed to head lice at school, camp, playgrounds, sleepovers, or wherever kids play together. Those play places that have dress up always give me the heebs.

                Washington Toxics Coalition offers some great advice that doesn’t require chemical intervention. Here are some highlights:

                • Encourage your child not to share headphones, headrests, hats, hair ribbons, barrettes, scarves, bicycle helmets, brushes or combs.
                • Talk with your child’s teachers about storing coats in cubbies rather than hanging them on hooks where they can come in close contact with each other.

                Preparation & Treatments

                Having a few tools and products on hand in the event of lice can be a saving grace.  You can’t control every situation… you may be on vacation and without a choice, or visiting relatives and don’t have your supplies.  But if it strikes while you’re home you at least have the tools necessary to start treating the problem right away and naturally without having to resort to the selection at CVS.  That works too but if you’d rather not use a chemical pesticide on your kids head, then here’s a few things you may want to have available:

                Lice/Nit Comb.  Apparently many kits come with one but the “good” ones are ideal because they are made with stainless steel and are more effective in removing lice and nits.  One of the most popular ones is called Nit Free Terminator, which you can also find at Babo Botanicals for $12. It seems steep for a lice comb but I’ve heard from other mothers who have dealt with lice that having a good comb makes a huge difference in removing and ending the nightmare. I’d say having on in your house for a just in case situation is warranted. Another one which is considered the “Gold Standard”  by HeadLice.org is the LiceMeister.  I’ve also seen the Robi Comb (thank you Green and Clean Mom for pointing that one out) an that looks like a good thing to have around. Though some have suggested that it’s not effective in finding and removing the eggs.

                Topical Lice Treatments. Here’s where it gets tricky.  Since any immediate solution is going to fall in the drugstore category, you’re left with few non-toxic options.  Most non-toxic solutions need to be ordered online and waiting for a delivery while lice is running rampant in your home sounds horrific.  So having something around “just in case” can save you. Here is a list of brands that are free of toxic pesticides and use natural ingredients to treat and remove lice:

                I don’t recommend trying other suggested natural remedies that I’ve seen circulating in the past, and advise that a pesticide free product specifically made to remove and kill lice and nits is the best way to go.  According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “Studies have shown lice can survive in hair covered with olive oil, mayonnaise and even petroleum jelly–even when it is left on the hair overnight.” So this isn’t always a good option.

                This mom recounts a friends experience making her own lice removal product using olive oil and essential oils.  But the bottom line is, you need a good comb.  Read about it on Clean Green Start!

                Tips For Removing Lice From Your Home

                Removing the nits from your child’s heads is the key and not treating your home.  Though follow up cleaning is advisable.  Using pesticides to spray your home is not recommended and unnecessary.

                • Diligent and daily combing to remove lice and nits is key.  This should be done twice daily for at least 12 days or more.
                • Wash clothing, towels and bedding in hot water and tumble-dry on high heat for 30 minutes.
                • Soak brushes and combs in hot water above 130° F for 30 minutes or or soak combs and brushes in rubbing alcohol for an hour.
                • Vacuum floors, furniture and bedding your child may have had contact with. After vacuuming, remove the bag, seal the openings and dispose of it properly.
                • Bag up items that can’t be laundered (like stuffed toys) for 2 weeks.

                Resources

                Apr

                7

                Have An Eco-Friendly Easter!

                Filed Under Green Mama | 3 Comments

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                  For those that do celebrate the Easter holiday and engage in the traditions of Easter Baskets and egg hunts I have compiled a few things I indulge in for my kids (and myself – I like treats too!) for the holiday.  Since this is a manageable holiday and doesn’t require a ton of planning, I can narrow down some of my old favorites I’ve come to instinctively order each year and some items are merely suggestions for those who need new ideas.  Here are my top picks for this year:

                  Organic Hopp’n Dark Chocolate Easter Bunny

                  What’s an Easter Basket without a chocolate bunny? Lame that’s what! (I’m kidding… kids really don’t care that much). But if you want to eat chocolate, and let’s all admit right now that we steal candy from our kids stash, why not get something organic?  These USDA Certified Organic Hopp’n Easter Bunnies are hand crafted and wrapped in compostable cellophane gift bags and secured with ribbon made from recycled bottles. It’s 5.5″ tall and solid chocolate, made here in the USA (Vermont).  This bunny also comes in a Milk Chocolate version too.  Compared to some organic chocolate I’ve found, this is not an arm and a leg either.  $12.00 per bunny.

                  Surf Sweets Jelly Beans

                  I order Surf Sweets Jelly Beans every year because I feel better knowing that the junk they’re eating isn’t full of artificial food coloring, and might even have some slight benefit in the form of vitamin C.  Each serving has 100% daily allowance of vitamin C, is made with organic fruit juice and sweeteners, are gluten and casein free, and are 97% organic and vegetarian.  So while the kids shovel jelly beans in their mouth I don’t cringe as much.  I only obsess about their teeth.

                  Nyokki Egg Pet Plant

                  I try to not load our Easter baskets with just junk… especially since kids get bored with it quick.  So I usually come up with a project or something to entertain them with.  This cute little Nyokki Pet Plant is the perfect gift for your little budding gardener.  Handmade in Japan from glazed ceramic and has felt legs so they can perch on a windowsill while you watch grass sprout from their head.  Your kids can water it, and watch it grow.  Then later they can cut or “style” the grass hair. Or it can just be a cute little planter you and your kids enjoy working on together.

                  Gluten Free Aromatic Play Clay by Mama K’s

                  Play dough or clay is always a hit at our house. So why not gift them with something creative and fun that will last beyond Easter morning? This gluten-free Aromatic Play Clay by Mama K’s is handmade with organic essential oils to make play time fun and creative (and soothing!).  Lavender, Sweet Orange, Bergamont and Lemongrass sounds much more pleasant than most dough smells I’ve come across… and what pretty (and Easter-y) colors! You can get a 7 pack of 4oz tubs for $30 or a mini kit for $9.00. Mini kits come with all 7 scents, make great gifts and are small enough for airplane traveling.

                  Dandelion Organic Plush Duck

                  It’s no secret I love all the organic plush toys that are made by Dandelion.  They are soft, cuddly and cute.  It doesn’t hurt that they are made with organic cotton and fillings so your sweetie pie is cuddling the safest softest materials available.  This little Dandelion Duckie is perfect for Easter and will become your child’s Easter buddy.  All their toys are soft but durable and stand up to standard kid abuse.  They have a variety of stuffed friends to choose from but I thought this little Duck would be the perfect Easter friend.

                  Eco-USA Eco-Eggs Easter Egg Decorating Kit

                  Gone are the days of day glow petrochemical egg dyes and in comes the era of vibrant and natural egg colors. The concentrated powders are made with plant, fruit and vegetable extracts instead of petrochemical food dyes. The Eco-Eggs kit comes in a cute little egg carton (of course)and all the supplies you need to create colorful eggs and Easter fun.  Included are 3 pots of natural dye powder, a color mixing instruction card, and egg creature cutouts so you and your kids can make fun little animals and bugs out of your eggs.  The company reformulated this year and the dyes are as vibrant as ever. You can see my recent review to see how pretty they turn out.

                  What will be in your basket this year? :)

                  Apr

                  6

                  PVC Free Rain Gear by PuddleGear (Giveaway)

                  Filed Under Product Reviews, PVC Free | 89 Comments

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                    It’s rainy season! I’ve covered safer rain gear before and since it is actually raining today, I thought it was appropriate to write about it! Puddlegear is owned and run by a husband and wife team who really stand behind the product.  All their rain gear is totally PVC and Phthalate Free and instead coated with ATEK – a Polyurethane-coated stretch fabric.  It’s a very light, soft, tear-resistant material and is wind and watertight. When this particular Polyurethane is in its fully expanded state it is an “inert chemical”,  meaning that it has no off gassing left to do.  Atek is fully expanded- and tested to be free of over 100 harmful chemicals.

                    My youngest in his Puddlegear after a little rainstorm

                    Their products are all tested and certified by Oeko-Tex. Oeko-Tex is a certification process that tests for over 100 harmful chemicals.  It’s just a raincoat you say? Not so! Many raincoats and rain gear manufactured today is made of toxic vinyl (PVC) which can contain dioxins which cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive system. Not to mention most PVC uses phthalates to soften the material which is a known hormone disruptor.  And let’s not even go in to the other toxins like chlorine or mercury. It’s unnecessary and avoidable.

                    "I am dry, Mom!" My oldest in his Puddlegear on the way to school

                    Puddlegear sent my sons their Albin jacket to try out.  These jackets fit well with room to grow so your investment will not be for naught.  They will be in use for years and handed down.  They are very light, which surprised me.  I half expected to feel the heavy weight of a vinyl like material (like most raincoats) but its super light and thin so there is no risk of overheating.  They have removable hoods and you can also purchase coordinating pants if you live in really wet areas or do a lot of wet activities, or just like to let the kids romp in the rain.  There is absolutely no smell and they are soft to the touch, yet durable enough to endure a 5 year old.

                    The fit is generous so you can actually layer clothing underneath if it’s cold, and light enough to wear on it’s own if it’s warm.  This also lends itself to the life of the items… they can be used for years without getting too tight.  They pair perfectly with Puddlegear’s Jesper Pants that feature boot straps and adjustable suspenders to ensure the right fit. Your little one can splash in puddles all day in that get up.

                    Get Puddlegear: You can order any Puddlegear jackets, pants, mittens, hats, etc by phone or email which you can find on Puddlegear.com.  They can assist you with sizes too.  You can find Puddlegear at these retailers as well.

                    Win Them!

                    Puddlegear is giving away a pair of PVC free Jesper Pants to a lucky SafeMama reader!

                    Here’s How To Enter (Required):

                    Visit Puddlegear.com and tell me what items appeal to you!  This step is required to enter the giveaway.

                    For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

                    • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
                    • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
                    • Follow @PuddleGear on Twitter (Twitter name)
                    • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
                    • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
                    • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN a pair of PVC Free Jesper Rain Pants by @PuddleGearAlex on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 4/13 http://tinyurl.com/6y9h4k9

                    One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until April 13, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

                    Congratulations commenter #89, Debra! Thank you to all who entered and to Puddlegear for the great giveaway.

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